A variety of fruits and vegetables provide important nutrients to the diet.

Eating for two doesn’t mean eating twice as much food, but it should mean making your food work twice as hard. Make every calorie count by choosing nutrient-dense foods, in other words get more bang for your calorie buck. By choosing a variety of food from all food groups, you can be assured of a well-balanced diet. But what if you have no appetite some days or occasionally feel nauseous? Remember, a quality diet over several days is what counts, not meal by meal.

What’s the right plan for me?These food group guidelines, from USDA My Plate, are an easy way to get started on a healthy pregnancy diet. Of course, your beginning weight, height, age, stage of pregnancy and the number of children you are carrying will determine how many calories and how much food you will need.

Daily Meal Plan

The plan shows slightly more amounts of food during the second and third trimesters because you have changing nutritional needs. This is a general Plan. You may need more or less than the Plan.*

*If you are not gaining weight or gaining too slowly, you may need to eat a little more from each food group. If you are gaining weight too fast, you may need to cut back by decreasing the amount of "empty calories" you are eating.

Get a Daily Plan for Moms designed just for you.
Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov for your Plan and more.
Click on "Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women."

We’re here to help

To discuss your personal nutrition needs with a Gerber Registered Dietitian, contact us for an appointment.

Fruits and veggies…super choices!

Naturally occurring beneficial compounds, called phytochemicals, are in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Some of these foods also provide antioxidants, such as Vitamin A from Beta-Carotene and Vitamins C and E. Working more vegetables and fruits into your day can include blending them into a juice or smoothie, tossing some into salads and using as your go-to snack.

Here’s a handy chart of phytochemicals in common fruits and vegetables.